No-Kill Shelters
So in the split, I’m losing two of my cats. 
And so, since I’ve always wanted a dog, and since I bug all dog walkers by interrupting their walk so I can pet and hug their dogs, and since I walk around my RV Park to pet and hug all the dogs, I thought I’d finally get a dog of my own.
And on Petfinder, I accidentally tripped across an ad that said IF THIS DOG IS NOT ADOPTED BY 5PM IT WILL BE EUTHANIZED.
And I felt horrible.
I felt awful.
I could save a life, and I’m not. But it’s not the right dog, and I’m not ready today, but maybe I should be. I don’t know. I understand the workers do that because they want someone to save the dog, but it’s an awful thing to do.
And that led me to Tucson’s only No-Kill Shelter: HOPE.
And I thought, maybe, since we’ve all asked for and donated funds for our various causes over the years, that maybe, you might want to send them a dollar or two, if you can.
And I’m trying to work out this puzzle: if I adopt from a kill shelter, I save an animal from being euthanized, but I’m supporting a shelter that kills. If I adopt from a non-kill shelter, then I’m not saving an animal from euthanization, but I’m supporting a no-kill shelter.
How do you solve that puzzle?
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Natasha Fondren is a writer traveling the U.S. in a camper with her four cats. She is currently enjoying the lizards and desert heat in Arizona.
Thank you for raising awareness of this issue and of HOPE.
I cannot speak for all no-kill shelters but I know that when HOPE adopts out an animal the free space is filled with another one from the county pound. So you are, in fact, saving the life of an animal that would have been killed. Either way you decide to go you will be saving a cat or dog from just being another statistic and in return you will get unconditional love.
Awwww, that’s great. That’s a good way to think of it.
Thanks, Susan, for all you do!
What happened to the kitties?
Two are going to Glenn in the split.
I don’t think there’s a perfect solution, but IMO the best way to think of it is that if you adopt from a no-kill shelter, you make a space for that shelter to take in another dog, so that next dog’s owner, who has to get rid of it for whatever reason, won’t have to take it to the pound where it’ll probably be euthanized.
Actually, I think a more productive use of money in the long run is to support reduced rate or free spay/neuter programs, because that’s what’s going to reduce the need for shelters, period, if anything does. I know there are programs out there that catch feral cats, spay or neuter them, and release them again. Those particular cats are still on the street, but at least they’re not reproducing. I imagine there must be some similar programs for feral dogs as well.
Of course, there are still animals in need in the short term. :/ So a split between shelters and spay/neuter programs?
Angie
That’s a great way to think of it, Angie! The shelter above has a donation program of $5 a month, and it goes toward one spay and one neuter a year.
I really like the no kill shelters, which is what the one we have over here is.
That’s awesome, Charles!
Ohhh, I understand you so well
I allways wanted to have cats, but I´m not ready yet, is not the moment, and everytime I see those photos of little kittens in the shelters I feel sooo sad 
I prefer no kill shelters. It´s a very cruel strategy to try to safe a life making you feel bad. On the ohter hand, if you adopt a pet on no kill shelters, you are promoting them
I was happy to see that it had been taken off Petfinder well before 5pm. I think it was adopted! At least, that’s what I’m telling myself.
It breaks your heart, though!
Big hugs about your cats. A puppy or even an older dog will be wonderful. If you have a certain breed in mind, you could even see if there’s an animal rescue association for that breed in your area. I understand, though, that you’d rather go with the No Kill places. Either way, you’ll find the right dog for you.
Oooh, I got one!
Hi Natasha,
I just found your blog/sites and have been enjoying reading about your work, adventures, and journeys!
Hopefully that dog was adopted before the 5 PM time limit; it sounds like it, and I hope so.
What about adopting a pet on a time limit like that, and taking it to a no-kill shelter if not able to keep it? If there is room to be found at a no-kill, of course. A phone call to find out could save a life.
I recently donated my time and skills to make a promo video for a large no-kill cat shelter here near me. The shelter is run entirely on donations. You can see the video if you click through to my site and search for it (keywords: “cat rescue” should do it). You’ll hear the story of the woman who started the shelter – it’s quite touching!
Best,
Dave
Yeah, I hope so too. I think so! Awww, that sounds great! So very cool, Dave!